Piedad nelson



No Model.) 12 SheetsSheet 1.

A. NELSON, Decd.

P. NELSON. Administraiprix. KNITTING MACHINE. No. 562,553. Patented June23, 1895.

w '9 3 Y 5 U WITNESSES I INVENTOR ."By Paa'rflttbrneys ANDREI-VBGRAMRM,PHUTOYLI'INQWASNINGTON. D C

A. NELSON, Decd.

P. NELSON, Administratrix. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 562,553. Patented June 23,1896.

ANDREW B GRAHAM, PHOIUMTMO. WASHINGTON 0.C

-(N0 Mod l 12 SheetsSheet 3.

A. NELSON,.De0d'.

P. NELSON, Administrmtrix. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 562,553 Patented June-23', 1896.

, WITNESSES d- K'W- 2/6 12 Sheets--Sheet 4: A. NELSON, Decd. 1

(N0'M0de1 P. NELSON; Administratrix. KNITTING MAGHI B.

No. 562,553. Patented June 23, 1896.

WITNESSES '5 @(i 6%: M. c-

(No Model.) 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. NELSON, Decd.

P. NELSON, Administratrix. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 562,553. Patented June 23, 1896.

(No Model.) 12 Sheets--Shee=t s.

A. NELSON, Decd P. NELs N, Admihistratrix. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 562,553. tented June 23, 1896.

Am! BJIRMMM."WOUND-WASHINGTON.DYC

'(No Model.) 12 sheets-sheet a.

A, NELSON, Decd'.

P NELSON, Admmlstratnx KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented June 23, 1896.

0w t e e h S S t e e h S H W 0 8 D N 0 S L E N A (No Model.)

P. NELSON, Administratrix. KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented June 23, 1896].

-|NVENTOR iii/red Weaa' 77/,

ANDREW RGRAHAM. PMOIO-UTNQWASNINGIONIC 12 Sheets Shet 10,

(No Model.)

' A. NELSON, Deod.'

P. NELSON, Administratrizi.

KNITTING MACHINE.

No Model.)

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12 ShetsSheet 11.

A. NELSON, Deod.

P. NELSON, Admipistratrix. KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented June 23, 1896.

By 726} Attorneys:

AN DREW BGRAHAM. PNOYOLIYPiOv WAS) NGTONJI C NiTE TATES Fries".

ALFRED NELSON, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS; PIEDAD NELSON, ADMINISTRA- TRIX OFSAID ALFRED NELSON, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR TO RALPH EM- ERSON, IVM; A.TALCOTT, EVA C. NELSON, \VILLIAM NELSON, OSCAR NELSON, FRITIIIOF NELSON,AND JOHN FRANKLIN NELSON, OF SAME PLACE, IVILLIAM ZIOCK, OF S'l. LOUIS,MISSOURI, AND ANNA NELSON BECK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

KNITTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,553, dated June 23,1896.

Application filed May 23, 1885. Serial No. 166,481. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED NELSON, of Rockford, in the county ofWVinnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines of the class known asstraight-row 1o knitting-machines, especially that type of this class ofmachines shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 214:,308, granted April 15, 1879, to John Nelson, and also in an application,Serial No. 165,7 31, for

I 5 United States Letters Patent for improve ments in knitting-machinesinvented by said Nelson, and filed May 16, 1885.

My object mainly is to improve the said John Nelson machines, and thisinvention relates principally to mechanism for gradually widening orenlarging tubular-knit fabrics,

such as the legs of stockings, the arms of shirts, &c.

My invention also relates to yarn-carrying mechanism and variousdetails.

lhe subject-matter deemed novel will hereinafter be specificallydesignated by the claims.

In the accompanying drawings an appro- 3o priate organization ofmechanism is shownfor knitting stockings, but, instead of using all theimprovements thereby illustrated and hereinafter in detail described,essential fea-,

tures of these improvements may be employed 3 5 without the others, andthe mechanism be modified in various ways without departing from thespirit of the invention herein claimed.

Figure 1 is a plan View of the machine. Fig.

2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the right end of themachine with the driving mechanism removed and the shaft for actuatingthe pattern cylinder in section.

Fig. l is an elevation of the left endof the 5 machine. Fig. 5 is aview, partly in elevation and partly in section, on the line 5 5 of Fig.1, with the upper and lower parts of the mechanism broken away. Fig. 5is a detail View showing particularly the adjustingscrew 70? of theyielding stop-arm K. Fig. 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly insection, on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, with the upper and lower parts ofthe mechanism broken away. Fig.7 is a plan View of the yarn-carryingmechanism. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 9 is a View,partly in elevation and partly in section, on the lines 9 9 of Figs. 7and S. Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a frontelevation of the main actuating-gear, with its bearingsleeve in section.Fig. 12 is an elevation of a device for actuating the dropping-needleand the mechanism which trips the pawls of the reciprocatingneedle-controlling rackbars. levers for tripping the pawls of theneedlecontrolling reciprocating rack-bars. Fig. 14 is a front view ofthe upper portion of the machine with the yarn-carrying mechanism andother parts detached. Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the frontneedle-controlling reciprocating rack-bars. Fig. 16 shows a rearelevation of the actuating and holding pawls and the trippingrod thereofof the reciprocating controlling rack-bars for the frontwidening-needles. Fig. 17 is a view, partly in end elevation and partlyin section, on the line 17 17 of Fig. 1. Fig. 18 is a bottom view of theleft ends of the main cam-slides, the channel-plates, and theguide-bars, and some of the attachments thereof, representingparts ofthe mechanism for actuating the needlecontrolling reciprocatingrack-bars to throw the widening-needles out of action. Fig. 19 is aview, partly in side elevation and partly in section, on the line 19 19of Fig. 17. Fig. 20 is a view, partly in elevation and partly insection, on the line 20 20 of Fig. 1, representing the pattern-cylinderand attachments thereof. Fig. 21 is an elevation of the auxiliary wheelfor controlling the mechanism for actuating the widening-needles withits tire Fig. 13 is a side elevation of one of the removed. Fig. 22 is aview showing a portion of the periphery of the pattern-cylinderflattened out. Fig. 23 is a similar View of the auxiliary wheel and itstire. Fig. 245 isa plan View of one of the cam-blocks of the auxiliarywheel detached. Fig. 25 is a section on the line 25 25 of Fig. 23. Fig.26 is a side elevation of one of the needle-jacks of the back row ofneedles. Fig. 27 is a similar View of one of the rocking levers forsupporting the needle-jacks of the needles of said row. Fig. 28 is aside elevation, partlyin section, designed to represent the manner ofdropping the left needle of the back row of needles. Fig. 29 is a sideelevation of one of the segment-gears of the pat tern-cylinder detached.Fig. 30isa front elevation of the sustaining-bar for raising andlowering the needles of the front row detached. Fig. 31 is a bottom viewof a portion of the back main cam-slide with its attached cams, and Fig.32 is a rear elevation of these devices with the parts in the samepositions. Fig. 33 is a bottom View of a portion of the front maincam-slide and its attached cams, and Fig. 34 a front elevation of thesedevices with the parts in the same positions. Fig. 35 is a plan view, onan enlarged scale, of the sectional sliding saddle and connectionsthereof and the presser-hook cams. Fig. 36 is a view of one of thepresser-hooks. Fig. 37 is a View, partly in elevation andpartly insection, showing details of the switch-gate-controlling mechanism forthe cams which actuate the front needles.

In many respects the mechanism hereinafter referred to, and more or lessfully described, is the same as embodied in the John Nelsonknitting-machines above alluded to; but all mechanism similar to that ofthe said John Nelson machines is disclaimed by me.

That side of the machine at which the work is discharged, and from whicha hand-wheel projects convenient to the right hand of the operator whenfacing the machine, is called the front, and the other the rear side,while the end on the right of the operator is termed the right and theother the left end of the machine throughout this specification.

The mechanism is mounted upon a suitable sectional main frame A. Adrivingshaft A, extending transversely to the machine and suitablymounted at the right end thereof in the main frame, is provided withfast and loose pulleys to be driven in an obvious way from anyappropriate motor. A hand-wheel A is secured to the front end of thedriving-shaft, and this shaft is provided with a fast pinion a, whichengages with a main actuating gearwheel a on a stud-axle a cast with aprojecting portion or bracket B at the right end of the main frame. Thisgear-wheel a is cast with a sleeve-bearin g I), by which it is mountedupon its stud-axle. A cam-wheel or irregular snail-gear B is also formedwith this sleeve for a purpose in turn to be explained.

A front needle-bed O and a rear needle-bed O are each slotted andprovided with a slotted steel plate 0, to constitute guide-grooves forthe front and rear rows of needles I) and 12 respectively, as well asfor their jacks B B The bed-plates are inclined as heretofore andprovided each with a lower lon gitu din allygrooved guide-bar orchannel-plate 0 C and an upper longitudinally-grooved guide-bar orchannel-plate C C A front main cam-slide C, and a back main cam-slide Origidly connected bya yoke c, reciprocate longitudinally in theirguideways in the front and back channel-plates. These main cam-slidescarry cams for actuating the needles of the front row I) and the needlesof the back row b respectively, to advance and retract them.

An elbow-lever c pivotallymounted upon the main-frame bracket by a stud0 is connected at the upper end of its longer arm with a bracket 0 onthe back main cam-slide C by means of a pitman 0 The other end, or theshorter arm of this elbow-lever, is linked by a connecting-rod b with awristpin 19* 011 the gear-wheel Ct. The result of this construction isthat the main cam-slides are caused to reciprocate together, or make twostrokes for each revolution of their actuating-gear a, and to operatethe two rows of needles by their cams, farther on to be described.

Alternating carriers A D for the thread employed in knitting, (thethread may be of yarn, cotton, silk, &c.,) which carriers willhereinafter be termed yarn-carriers, are similarly constructed, and aresupported, and thrown into and out of engagement with their actuatingmechanism, so as to be reciproeated by turns, as and for a purposefarther on to be explained.

Each of the alternatel y-actin g yarn-carriers is mounted to reciprocateover the central opening d, across which the needles are projected andretracted, and moves in a path transversely to the paths traveled by theneedles, as is well understood.

The yarn-carriers are actuated in the desired order by connections witha slide 13*, to which the proper reciprocating movement is imparted, asfarther on explained. This aetuating-slide 13 carries a controlling-armB forming a part of the mechanism which connects it alternately with theyarn-carriers. A sliding saddle I) is reciprocated by connection, asnext to be described, with the actuating-slide of the yarn-carriers andis guided in ways formed in the adjacent or inner edges of guide-bars DD, secured to the needlebeds over their inner edges above and 011opposite sides of the central opening d.

The saddle is made in two sections 1) If, united by a cross-piece orconnecting-plate D and connected with the actuating-slide by means of aninwardly-projecting base extension or connecting-piece B of thecontrollingarm 13. This connecting-piece B detachably interlocks withthe sliding saddle by fitting in a space provided between the shoulderIIO formed by the connecting-plate D and an attached lug i of thesection b of the saddle, as clearly shown by the drawings.

The front section Z) of the sliding saddle is provided with two horns (Zd for opening the latches of the back row of needles, Fig. 35, and therear section b of the saddle is provided with a horn (Z3 for opening thelatches of the front row of needles on the outward stroke of the maincam-slides, (the stroke toward the left end of the machine.) As theneedles of the back row at times both advance and retract at each strokeof the yarn-carrier and the sliding saddle, or make two reciprocationsfor every reciprocation of the yarn-carrier, the sliding saddle, themain cam-slides, and the cams E E for actuating the front and rearpresserhooks D D it is essential that the same order of action of theyarn-carrier, the sliding saddle, the needles of the back row and theircooperatingpresser-hooks D shall be maintained at such times, thusnecessitating the reversal of the relative positions of these parts ateach stroke. Were it not for this reversal in the relative positions ofthe parts, it is obvious that the retracting movement of the needles ofthe back row to the proper extent to receive yarn upon their openlatches and theaction of the back presser hooks (the details of whichand their actuating mechanism will soon be described) would occur inadvance of the proper order during those operations of the mechanismwhen the needles of the back row are making two reciprocations for eachreciprocation of the main camslides and the cam which actuates the backpresser-hooks. The result of thus maintaining the order of operation ofthe yarn-carrier and the reciprocating saddle, and the needles of theback row and their cooperating presser-hooks, obviously is that the yarnis always laid upon the open latches of the needles while they areretracting and while their cooperating presser-hooks are elevatedpreparatory to descending upon the yarn at the completion of thedownward stroke of the needles.

I11 the organization of mechanism shown the shifting of parts, so as toreverse their relative positions at the end of each stroke of the maincam-slides, and the cams for operating the presser-hooks, isaccomplished by causing the main cam-slides to move a short distanceafter the yarn-carrier, the sliding saddle, and the cam for actuatingthe back presser-hooks have finished their stroke, and by causing thecam for operatingthe back presser-hooks to begin its return strokeshortly after the yarn-carrier, the sliding saddle, and the maincam-slideshave commenced another stroke.

It should be borne in mind that, as in the before-mentioned John Nelsonmachines, the front needles I) make one reciprocation for eachreciprocation of their actuating-cams carried by the front cam-slide Oand that these needles operate only when circular work is being done,they being thrown out of acmain cam-slide, at the time of heel and toeknitting, make but one reciprocation for each reciprocation .of theiractuating-cams during circular knitting, at the time the frontneedlesare working. It consequently follows that the change in the position ofparts relatively to each other, as above described, is not necessary sofar as the front needles, their cooperating presser-hooks, theiractuatingcams, and the yarn-carrier, and the horn (i are concerned. Noris it necessary that the change should take place in the relativepositions of the yarn-carrier, the horns d (P, the cams for actuatingthe back row of needles, and the cam for actuating the backpresser-hooks, at the time that the needles of the back row are makingbut one reciprocation for each reciprocation of their actuatingcams.Nevertheless, as the parts are organized these changes occur throughoutthe operation of the machine and do not interfere in the least with theproper working of the mechanism at times when such changes effect noresult.

The shifting mechanism employed for maintaining the above-describedorder of operation of parts is as follows: The gear-wheel a is providedon its front face (the face opposite that from which the wrist-pin bprojects) with a cam-groove A in which works a pin b which is providedwith a roller on theupper end of a lever A which is pivotally supportedintermediate its ends by a stud a on the main-frame bracket B and at itslower end is forked or slotted, and has self-adjusting jointedconnection with the lower end of a lever A, mounted upon thebefore-described elbow-lever c by means of a pivot a. A pivot-pin a atthe lower end of the lever A is provided with a roller which enters theslot in the lower end of the lever A, making the needed self-adjustingconnection of these levers. At its upper end the lever A is connected bya link or pitman A with the yarncarrier-actuatin g slide B. The resultof this construction is that while the roller upon the pin 11 travelsthat portion of the cam-groove extending from 1 to 2 (see Fig. 11) theyarncarrier-actuating slide will make the outward stroke of areciprocation, and move correspondingly with the main cam-slides. Next,while that portion of the cam-groove extending from 2 to 3is acting onthe roller the yarncarrier-actuatin g slide remains at rest, thoughthere is no pause in the movement of the main cam-slides other than thatwhich takes place at the dead-center point of their stroke. Next, whilethat portion of the cam-groove extending from 3 to 4B is acting upon theroller of the lever A the inward stroke (the stroke toward the right endof the machine) of the yarn'carrieractuating slide takes placesimultaneously with the corresponding stroke of the main camslides, andat the completion of this inward stroke the yarn-carrier-actuating slideagain comes to rest while that portion of the cam-groove extending from4 to 1 acts upon the roller, the main cam-slides continuing to move,except when pausing at the dead-center of their stroke, during thiscessation in the operation of the yarn-carrier-actuating slide. Next,the yarn-carrier-actuating slide is again moved outward with the maincam-slides at the commencement of another revolution of the gear-wheela.

The yarn-carrier-aetuating slide 13' is supported or carried by andreciprocates in a suitable guideway Z2 formed in the bracket 0 on theback main cam-slide. The controlling-arm B is formed with a curved upperend 1), adapted to engage with a sleeve-slide B carried by a rock-shaftB, with which it is engaged by means of a groove a and feather b (seeFig. 10,) so that while free to slide along this rock-shaft it iscompelled to turn therewith, as is well understood. The curved upper endof the controllin g-arm rests in an annular recess or bearing 13, formedbetween adjustable collars b Z) of the sleeveslide. These collars aresecured in place by means of set-screws 0 The rock-shaft B is supportedat its opposite ends in bearings in upright frame-arms 13 B A lug a pro-3' ectin g downwardly from the sleeve-slide, engages with one or otherof two supportingslides A A", to which the yarn-carriers D A arerespectively attached. Recesses in the respective supporting-slidesalternately receive the lug a when these slides are to be interlockedwith the sleeve-slide. These supporting-slides are carried by andreciprocate along parallel guide bars A A. These guide-bars are securedat their opposite ends to the frame-arms 13 B and have a space betweenthem.

The eyes d d of the yarn-carriers, through which the yarn passes to besupplied to the needles, are formed at the lower ends ofpivotally-supported arms (1 constituting the yarn-carriers proper. Attheir upper ends these arms have hinged connection by means of thepivots c c with the supporting-slides A A", respectively.

A spring a acts upon each yarn-carrier with a tendency to keep it in itsworking position, the movement of the yarn-carrier in the direction inwhich its spring presses it being limited by an adjustable set-screw a".

A pointed inclined sided separating-horn a secured to the rightframe-upright B acts upon the yarn-carriers at the inner ends of theirstrokes, so as to move them sidewise slightly against the action oftheir springs, in order that the yarn-carrier, which is out ofoperation, will be prevented from interfering with the reciprocatingyarn -carrier. The yarn-carrier arms, as in this instance shown, areeach composed of two sections. The lower arm cl or yarn-carrier properis removably connected by screws 0 with an upper section C, which ishinged to its supporting-slide. The upper sections 0 of the yarn-carrierarms are of plate form adapted to bear in recesses in their respectivesupportingslides, as plainly shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The rock-shaft B is automatically actuated at proper intervals to throwone yarn-carrier out of action and the other into action, in order thata yarn-carrier A supplied with thick or heavy yarn, may be thrown. intoaction, and the other yarn-carrier, D, supplied with lighter yarn, maybe thrown out of action, or vice versa, according to whether the heel orthe tee is being formed, requiring the heavy yarn, or the foot or legportion of the stocking is being knitted with lighter yarn. Ifpreferred, diiferent-colored yarns may be used, and they may be ofcorresponding weight, if desired. The mechanism in this instanceemployed for alternating the yarn carriers is as follows:

An elbow-lever C for actuating the rockshaft B of the yarn-carriermechanism is pivotally supported by the frame-stud c and carries at theend of its lower or shorter arm a pin 0 which may be provided with aroller, entering a cam-groove C in the outer face of a ring J attachedto the right end of the pattern-cylinder, and hereinafter moreparticularly described.

At its upper end the elbow-leverhas jointed connection with the rightend of the rockshaft by means of a slotted lug 0 secured by a sleeve tothe rock-shaft, and a pin on the elbow-lever entering the slot of saidlug. A spring-metal star-shaped washer C and a securing-pin serve toproperly hold the elbowlever upon its stud 0 The movement imparted tothe patterncylinder, as farther on to be described, causes thecam-groove to act five times upon the pin of the elbow-lever for eachcomplete revolution of the pattern-cylinder, the inclines orcam-surfaces d d7 d cl d acting in turn upon the elbow-lever pin. Duringthe time that portion of the cam-groove between the inclines (Z d isacting upon the pin of the elbow-lever, the yarn-carrier D, which issupplied with heavy yarn, is in action for knitting the toe of astocking. When the camincline d acts upon the elbow-lever, the rockshaftis actuated to disengage the lug of the sleeve-slide B from thesupporting-slide A, and engage it with the supporting-slide A which,during the action of the yarn-carrier D, was at rest at the right end ofits path of movement against the horn a hen that portion of thecam-groove extending from the incline d to the incline d? is acting uponthe elbow-lever, the foot of the stocking is being worked. \Vhen theincline al acts upon the elbow-lever, the sleeve-slide is disengagedfrom the supporting-slide A and again engaged with the supporting-slideA for knitting the heel. The action of the incline 01 upon theelbow-lever alternates the yarn-carriers, the yarn-carrier A providedIOf with the lighter yarn, being thrown into action for knitting theleg, during the time that the elbow-lever pin is engaged with thatportion of the cam-groove extending from d to d". By the action of theincline 01 upon the elbowlever the yarn-carrier D is thrown out ofaction, the movement imparted to the rockshaft by the action of theincline d being such that the lug of the sleeve-slide is moved into aposition between the supportingslides. Both yarn-carriers remain out ofaction during the time that the portion of the camgroove extending fromd to al is acting upon theelbow-lever, (a stocking having beencompleted,) and when the incline d acts upon the elbow-lever theyarn-carrier D is thrown into action for commencing to knit the toe ofanother stocking. The yarn-carriers are thrown into and out of action atthe ends of their strokes inward or to the right. I

Devices the same as shown and described in the before-mentionedapplication, Serial No. 165,731, are provided for shifting the positionof the cam E for actuating the back presserhooks relatively to theyarn-carrier in action. These devices and the cam E are as follows: Themain slide or section e of the cam moves in a guideway e in the upperrear channelplate O and is provided with a cam-recess e The other slideor section 6 of this cam reciprocates in its guide-groove e in the backguide-bar D, and is provided with a projection corresponding with thecam-recess e of the main section. Levers or controlling arms (1 of theback presser-hooks project between the two sections of theiractuating-cam, and are of a width about corresponding with the spaceformed between the recess of the main section and the projection of theother section of the cam. The connecting-piece B has upon its under sidea downwardly-projecting lug (1 which enters a recess betweenupwardly-projecting lugs D D of the main section of the cam. The spacebetween these lugs is of a length sufficient to allow of the necessaryamount of play of the lug d at the time of shifting. The small section 6of the cam is provided with an upwardly-projecting lug e, which enters arecess in the under side of the connecting-piece B formed between(lownwardly-projecting lugs f f This re cess corresponds approximatelywith the space between the lugs on the main section of the cam. It willbe understood that at the end of each stroke the presser-hook cam willbe left in a position such that it will not be moved at first upon thecommencement of the next stroke of the actuating-slide of theyarncarrier, thus providing for shifting upon each stroke of theyarn-carrier and main camslides. The cam E for actuating the front setof presser-hooks is the same in all respects as that for operating theback set of presserhooks, except that ithas detachable rigid connect-ionwith the saddle B by a bracket e secured to the saddle-section Z),instead of having a shifting connection, so as to be adj 11stableautomatically relatively to the yarn-carrier. The downwardly-projectingouter end of the bracket e engages a recess in the main section of thecam E, and downwardly-projecting lugs 12 19 of this bracket embrace thelug of the small cam-section C.

It will, of course, be understood that the presser-hooks are supportedby their pivotrods a a and work in guide-grooves in the {)espectiveguide-bars D D and in the needleeds.

Rocking needle-supports F F for both the front and back rows of needlesare dropped and elevated by means of endwise-sliding sustaining-bars D Dbeneath them, supported at their ends in guideway-slots in the ends ofthe main frame. These sustainingbars project beyond the main frame atits left end, so that they may be actuated by hand as desired. They haveupon their under sides, near each end, (see Fig. 30,) inclined surfacesor cams f f, by the contact of which with the bottoms of theguideway-slots in the mainframe ends the sustaining-bars are raised andlowered as they are moved endwise. hen the sustaining-bars occupy theirnormal positions for sustaining the rocking needle-supports in theirelevated positions, these bars rest with their seats f f upon thebottoms of their guideway-slots in the frame ends, and when lowered thenotched or cut-away parts f f of these bars rest upon the bottoms oftheir guideways. The guideway-slot in the left end of the main frame forthe back sustaining-bar D is made of a width su flioient to permit ofthe left end of this bar being given a slight sidewise movement, for apurpose in turn to be ex plained. The ends of the needle-supports arepivotally connected with the under sides of the needle beds.

The two series of rocking levers F for supporting the jacks F of thoseneedles of the back row which are on opposite sides of the centralneedles of this row are provided (see Fig. 27) with the lugs f f forengagement with the pattern cylinder F and are the same as heretofore.Each of these levers is provided with the notch f in the bottom of its jack-guideway, into which the rear end of the needle-jack descends Whenthe lever is depressed to lower the shank or projection F Fig. 26, ofthe jack beneath the cams, which actuate the needles by contact with theneedle jack projections. The needlejacks F, which are supported by therocking levers F are cut away upon their under sides by being recessed,as at The solid portion F of the rear needle-bed from its front edgebackward for about half its width is made of uniform thickness, and withits top surface parallel to its under surface. The rear top surface ofthis solid portion is inclined to provide for the downward movementofthe needlejack when its cut-away portion eX tends above both the regularand the inclined surface of the solid portion of the needle-bed. Thecams G G are carried by the front main cam-slide C and by theirreciprocation the needles of the front row are actuated. The movable camG is carried at the end of an arm g, pivotally connected with the frontcam-slide and provided with an upwardlyprojecting lug G having a sidepin 9 which engages with one or the other of two guidegrooves G G in theinner vertical wall of the lower front channel-plate C The lug G passesthrough a slot in the front main cam-slide. At the left end of theguidegrooves G G there is pivoted between them a switch-gate 9 Alaterally-projecting arm on this switch-gate is connected with avertically moving controlling arm G which passes downward through thefront needlebed and is pivotally connected at its lower end with apivoted shoe 9, which rides at times in a groove G in thepattern-cylinder, and at times upon cams G G8 G during the actuations ofthe pattern-cylinder. A spring 9-, hearing at its upper end against theunder side of the needle-bed and pressing downward upon thevertically-moving controlling-arm G acts with a tendency to keep theshoe in its lowermost position at all times. It will be seen that theswitch-gate will be operated siX times during each revolution of thepattern-wheel, the switclrgate being elevated every time the shoe of thecontrollingarm rides up an incline of one of the cams G G or G, so as tocause the pin g to travel in the lowermost one of its two guides in thechannel-bar, and to continue to travel in this guide while the shoerides upon the surface of the cam. When the shoe descends the incline ofthe cam upon which it has been op erating, the switch-gate will belowered and the pin 9 will be transferred to the uppermost one of itstwo guideways. Changes of the switch-gate occur when the pin g is in thewide groove g. The result of this operation is that while the upperguide-groove controls the movements of the cam G, the front row ofneedles will be thrown out of action, because the projections of theneedlejacks of this row of needles will remain behind the two cams G G,passing beneath the cam G, and when the lower guide-groove controls thecam G it will be depressed so that the needle-jacks will be transferredfrom behind the cam G to the front of the cam G" at each stroke duringthe reciprocations of the main cam-slides, thus causing the needles toreciprocate once during each reciprocation of these cam-slides.

The needles of the back row are actuated by cams H H, and a triangularcam H between the adjacent ends of the cams H H. The movable cam II iscarried by a pivoted arm h. The cam-arm h is provided with anupwardly-projecting lug h,having a laterallyprojecting pin h working inguide-grooves H H having a switch-gate H at their left ends similar tothe switch-gate employed for the cams for actuating the front needles.This switch-gate is also actuated by a vertically-moving controlling-rod7L pivotally connected at its lower end with a pivoted shoe 7L4,substantially similar to the corresponding parts employed for actuatingthe cams of the front needles. This shoe 77, is acted upon by a spring705, mounted upon the comb-frame II, with a tendency to keep the shoedown upon the pattern-cylinder at all times. In this cylinder are twogrooves H 11 into which the shoe is depressed to draw down theswitchgate H so that the cam ll will be controlled by the upperguide-groove H. At this time the cam H will be elevated so that theneedlejacks will be acted upon in such a manner as to cause the backneedles to reciprocate once for every reciprocation of the maincam-slides. WVhen the shoe of the controlling-rod is acted upon by theungrooved portions of the pattern-cylinder, the switch-gate is actuatedin such a manner that the cam II is controlled by the lower guide-grooveH At this time the cam H is depressed, and the result is that the backneedles make one reciprocation for each stroke of the main cam-slides.

The left needle in the back row of needles b is automatically droppedand lifted at the beginning of the formation of a stocking by mechanismsuch as follows: The rocking support f for this needle is cut away andprovided with a cam f on its under side. Normally this needle-supportrests with its regular or uncut under surface upon the backsustaining-bar D Vhen, however, this bar is moved sidewise, it ispresented to the recessed part of the needle-support, to permit thissupport and its needle to rock downward, the support when down restingupon its sustaining-bar outside of its cam f. A spring f bears upon therocking needle-support f to insure its downward movement when thismovement is permitted by the sidewise movement of the sustaining-bar andthe withdrawal of the needle from the ledge D of guide-bar D. A hook fhaving its shank mounted by the side of the needle-support, bears uponthe needle, so that it is compelled to move downward with its support.The shank of the hook f is shown as pivoted with the needle-support andas acted upon by the spring f The sustaining-bar D Fig. 6, is movedlaterally in one direction by a spring F and in the other direction byan elbow-levenF to which motion is imparted by the patterncylinder atthe proper time for permitting of throwing the needle out of action.This elbow-lever, as shown, is provided with a cam end or incline f foracting upon the sustaining-bar D to move it in a direction contrary tothat in which its spring moves it, and the opposite end of this lever,Figs. 0 and 12, is provided with a wiper-cam F acted upon by theperiphery of the pattern-cylinder. This elbow-lever is pivoted by asleeve D upon a stud-shaft D supported by and projecting inwardly fromthe left end of the frame. The

dropping-needle is actuated in such a manner that it is held down at thetime that the yarncarrier is supplying the yarn above it upon its ifirst outward stroke in beginning the formation of a stocking, and thenmoved upward in position to engage the yarn supplied to it upon thereturn stroke of the yarn-carrier, this operation being well understood.

lVhcn the sustainin g-bar is m oved laterally by the elbow-lever, it istemporarily retained in this position by the action of a dogginglever Ewhich dogs the sustaining-bar after the elbow-lever is released. Thisdogging lever is pivotally supported about midway its length and isacted upon by a spring E", Fig. 4, which draws down its shouldered end Ewhen downward movement of this end is permitted. The opposite end of thedogging-lever is acted upon by a tripping-rod 6, Figs. 1, i, and 17,actuated by a wipercam E, Figs. 1 and 1 carried by the back maincamslide. At the proper time for elevating the dropping needle thistripping rod is depressed, correspondingly raising the end of thedogging-lever which acts on the sustaining-bar, thus leaving thesustaining-barfree to be actuated by its spring to be restored to itsnormal position beneath the dogginglever.

The pattern-cylinder is intermittingly actuated at the ends of strokesof the main camslides, by driving connections with the main actuatinggear a in the manner next to be explained, A shaft l, suitably mountedin a sleeve-bearing i at the right end of the main frame, is geared withthe cam-gear B by means of a star-pinion I. This star-pinion is movedtwice for each revolution of the canigear and is fast upon the shaft 1,which has imparted to it one revolution for each five revolutions of theactuating-gear and camgear as the mechanism is in this instanceorganized. A pinion i is fast upon the shaft 1 for engagement withgear-teeth 1 upon the periphery of the pattern-cylinder at its rightend. A long tooth i is provided upon this pinion i for engagement atproper intervals with sliding segment-gears I 1 adapted to move at timesindependently of the patterneylinder. These segment-gears haveadjustable connection with the pattern-cylinder, so

that their teeth, no matter in what positions they may be adjusted foraction, will form continuations of or register with the teeth of thepattern-cylinder gear 1 The adjustable segment-gears I 1" are of similarformation, one of them being of greater extent than the other, and eachadapted to be slid and held in position in an annular guideway J of thepattern-cylinder. The segment-gear I has a segmental guide-flange J,shouldered at j and fitting so as to slide freely in the guideway J',formed at the right end of the patterncylinder, partly by a groove inthe cylinder end and partly by the ring J riveted or otherwise suitablyattached to the end of the cylinder. The shoulder j of the segmentgearprojects beneath the toothed end of the pattern-cylinder, so that thesegment-gear teeth and the teeth of the pattern-gear will be flush witheach other, and the segmentgear be prevented from displacement. Across-pin j, together with a series of pin-holes j in thepattern-cylinder, serve to limit the movement of the segment-gear Iindependently of the pattern-cylinder, in a forward clirection, or thatin which the cylinder rotates, and another series of pin-holesj and apin j behind the segment-gear, provide for adjusting the segment-gear inposition relatively to the patterncylinder and to preventbackwardmovement of the segment-gear 1 This last-named pin and theopenings in which it is secured in adjusting the segment-gear may bethreaded to prevent accidental displacement of the adjusting-pin, or anyequivalent means for adjusting may be provided. Premature forwardmovement of the segmentgear I is prevent-ed by a yielding stop K. Theforward portion of the segment-gear is borne sidewise against by thestop, which is shown as formed by a spring-bar secured at one end to theinner surface of'the main frame at its right end, bent sidewise, so asto bear at K against the frame and having a cam projection or incline7c, Fig. 2, against which the forward end of the segment-gear bears, andalong in frictional contact with which this segment-gear is forced whenpositively operated, as will be obvious. A screw 7%, passing through theframe and engaging a screw-tap in the thickened end of the stop, Figs. 5and 5, serves to adjust the stop and causes it to act with greater orless force in its resistance to the movement of the segment-gear toinsure proper action by preventing accidental movement of the gear.

It will be seen that when, during the actuation of the pattern-cylinder,this cylinder has been brought to a position such that the cross-pin jabuts against the rear end of the segment-gear, this gear is forced topartake of the forward movement of the pattern-cylinder, and is thusmoved into position to be acted upon by the long teeth of the pinion 2",with the result that as this segm ent-gear is intermittingly operated bythis long tooth, and during a period of rest of the pattern-cylindercaused as presently to be explained, it will be moved forward thedistance of one of its teeth every time the pinion makes one revolutionuntil it has been fed forward a distance such as to cause its forwardend to strike the stop-pin j. During the time or more or less of thelatter portion of the time that the long teeth of the pinion i" isacting upon the segment-gear I to feed it independently of thepattern-cylinder an untoothed space L of the pattern-cylinder isoccupied by the pinion,the pattern-cylinder gear being mutilated by theomission of one teeth at this space. At this time the pattern-cyh inderis at rest, the period of rest of the pattern-cylinder, which occursduring the occupancy of the space L by the pinion, dependin g upon theadjustment of the segm ent-gear.

3 5 ing.

50 into and out of operation.

55 thirty-six in all.

5 is first imparted to the pattern-cylinder by way of this segment-gear,as will be obvious, and after this the pinion acts upon the gear of thepattern-cylinder while the heel of a stocking is being formed and untilan un- 10 toothed space L of the cylinder-gear is occu pied by thepinion, when the cylinder comes to rest again and the ankle andgraduallyenlarged leg portions of the stocking are formed during thisinterval of rest by the I 5 actuations of mechanism such as soon to bedescribed.

The long segment-gear I" is of construction similar to that of thesegment-gear I, and is adjustably mounted in the pattern-cylinder in acorresponding manner, there being provided for this segment-gear I afront stop-pin Z in one of the series of holes f and a rear stop-pin lin one of the series of holes j. The brake-stop K acts upon thesegment-gear I in the same manner as upon the segment 1 \Vhen, upon thecontact with the rear end of the segment-gear I of its adjusting-pin l,carried by the pattern-cylinder, this gear has been brought intoposition for engagement by the long tooth of the pinion 2", the pinionoccupies an untoothed space L of the patterncylinder which had beenpresented to it at the completion of the actuations of the mechanismwhich control the widening of the stock The pinion will continue torotate in this space without actuating the pattern-cylinder until thesegment-gear becomes engaged with the pattern-cylinder by abuttingagainst the front stop-pin Z, after which the cylinder continues to movestep by step and the segment-gear becomes inoperative until it is againacted upon by its rear pin.

In order to provide for controlling the widening of the workindependently of the patterincylinder, I have devised auxiliarymechanism, such as soon to be described, by means of which any desirednumber of needles, which are not dependent upon the pattern-cylinder fortheir action, may be thrown As shown, widening-needles are provided inseries of corresponding numbers, respectively, at each end of both mainrows of needles, there being in this instance nine needles in eachseries, or The widening-needles h at the opposite ends of the front rowof main needles I), and the widening-needles N, at the opposite ends ofthe rear row of needles W, are shown as supported and actuated in thefollowing way: Rocking levers O O for the respective series M of thefront widening- .needles are pivotally connected with the frontneedle-bed by-means of pivot-rods 0 Fig. 15, passing through holes 0 inthem, and through corresponding holes in brackets O 0 secured to theneedle-bed, Fig. 14-. Jacks P for the respective series of frontwidening-needles are supported by the rocking levers O 0. These jacksare provided with shanks or upward projections 12, to be operated by thecams G G when these shanks are elevated to bring them under the controlof the cams. Reciprocating needlecontrolling cam-bars Q Q havecorresponding inclines g upon their upper and under surfaces toconstitute their cams, and, as in this instance shown, have actuatingconnection with the respective rocking levers O by means of links Q Q,which are pivotally connected at their lower ends with the rockinglevers, and have slots (1 q endwise through which the controllingcam-bars work. The slots q q are formed in the edges of the links of therespective series Q Q", near their upper ends. The rocking levers willbe moved up or down, (they would be actuated in the same way were thecontrolling cambars passed through slots made directly in the levers,)according to the direction in which the cam-bars are moved in thedesired order for throwing the wideningneedles into and out of action bybringing the shanks of their jacks into positions to be operated upon bythe cams or withdrawing them from such positions, as will be obvious.

The reciprocating cam-bars Q Q work in a gnideway-groove Q, formed inthe lower front channel-plate C and are retained therein by a suitablenumber of cross-pieces q, secured to the channel-plate above and belowthe guide-groove, which they span. The controlling-links Q Q of therocking levers reciprocate in guide grooves formed in the channel-plateC as plainly shown by the drawings.

The adjacent or inner ends of the reciprocating cam-bars Q Q areconnected with each other by reversing mechanism. As shown, they havesecured to them rack-bars Q, one above the other. Between these rackbarsa pinion g gearing with both of them, is loosely mounted upon a stud gfixed to the channel-plate and projecting forwardly therefrom. Thispinion is secured against displacement in suitable well-known way, andby means of it, when one of the cam-bars is moved in its guideway-slot,motion is imparted by the reversing mechanism to the other cam-bar tocause it to move in the opposite direction. In this way it will be seenthat both cam-bars are moved inward simultaneously or outwardsimultaneously throughout the reciprocations imparted to them, aspresently to be explained.

The rocking levers O O for supporting the jacks of the respective seriesN of rear widening-needles are of construction precisely similar to thatof the rocking levers of the front widening-needles, and like them areprovided with slotted controlling-links 0 to be actuated by theneedle-controlling cam-bars 0 O in construction similar to Q Q, providedwith reversing mechanism, such as the rack-bars

